Get Lost on the Gold Coast

Get Lost on the Gold Coast

story by:
Inspire Magazine

With all the soft sand, dazzling blue water and shining sun you could ever dream of, why wouldn't you head to the Gold Coast? From Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads, when it comes to where to stay and what to do, here are some tips to help you plan.

Where to stay

Surfers Paradise - Iconic Gold CoastTake in a mix of stunning beachside and an impressive vista of towering skyscrapers in popular Surfers Paradise. Enjoy a lively surfing, shopping and nightlife culture that you won’t find elsewhere in Queensland.

There’s shopping options galore, from high-end boutiques in the Oracle Precinct and Marina Mirage, to the Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets on the Promenade that take place each Wednesday and Friday night.

Cavill Ave comes alive at night with live music, fairy lights and pumping nightclubs to dance the night away!

Expand your palette in the bustling Broadbeach Mall and Oracle Precinct just round the corner.

A fantastic atmosphere is on offer with plenty of street musicians, artists and performers on Surf Parade, plus the huge Jupiters Hotel & Casino nearby hosting a multitude of entertainment options.

Coolangatta - Sleepy Surf TownSurfers are everywhere! With surfboards in hand, spot ‘em on the beach, in cafés, restaurants, shopping malls, on bikes, skateboards and more. It truly gives the town a ‘good times’ feeling.

For great surf and swimming, the stunning Coolangatta, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay beaches are sure to impress. Or hit the pavement with 36km of walking tracks on offer, treating you to stunning headland views.

Burleigh Heads - Laidback & LocalHalfway between Coolangatta and Surfers Paradise you’ll find this true Aussie gem. The actual Heads is a national park so expect breathtaking scenery and manicured parkland. Chill on the beach or head out on a nature walk around the coastline.

With a famous surf break, hip cafes and bars, Burleigh is also loved for its unique shops and eclectic weekend markets.

Gold Coast to-do list

Broadbeach Country Music Festival
July 28 - 30, 2017
Uniquely combining Country with the Coast, the festival will feature an enviable herd of incredible country music talent.

V8 Supercars Armor All Gold Coast 600
October 21 – 23​, 2016
Three days of heart stopping action packed racing, where drivers battle through one of the world's toughest street circuits to claim the ultimate endurance racing title!

Theme parksFrom Broadbeach & Surfers Paradise, you're perfectly placed to explore other parts of the Gold Coast including theme park fun for the ride of your life! ( Maximise the bang for your theme park buck with multi-park passes. A Village Roadshow Superpass will gain you multiple entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World and Wet'n'Wild. A Holiday World Pass will get you into both DreamWorld and WhiteWater World.

Currumbin Wildlife SanctuaryStop in at the home to crocs, koalas, dingoes, snakes & more.

Hinterland
Travel to the fascinating Hinterland with ease. Head out of the city by bus or car and embrace your inner explorer with thriving wet rainforest, wild mountains and bushland.

HOT Tips from Coast FM's Brian Kelly:

Best beach/Coastal escape - Arguably Australia’s most famous beach is Main Beach in Surfers Paradise. It's worth visiting just for the people watching, and to get your iconic shot of ‘true blue’ Aussie lifeguards and the surf scene. Beginner surfers who are looking for slightly more sheltered waters, pull into Currumbin.

Best bit beyond the beach- Half an hour into the Hinterland, I look back on the expanse of the Coast and quite literally turn my back on the glitterati coastal lifestyle for the peace and tranquility of the Tamborine Mountains. A strong arts and crafts community and artisan producers make up a colourful array of characters and places to stop in on.

Best treats - If you’re looking for somewhere to go to wear your shopping, then an afternoon at Palazzo Versace takes you into a whole new world where everything that glitters really IS gold. Le Jardin is the perfect place to experience a high tea where you really can feel like you are having a ‘big Wednesday’ moment!